THE HUNT is on to find the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to make people better in Southampton’s hospitals.

Today the Daily Echo is launching its Hospital Heroes campaign to celebrate the dedication of staff who have really made a difference to patients in the city.

We have teamed up with the Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust to track down those individuals who have gone that extra mile to bring a smile to those suffering.

So whether it is a doctor who has pulled out all the stops to put you at ease, a receptionist who has helped calm your nerves or a porter, nurse, midwife or physiotherapist, we want to hear from you. Daily Echo readers can nominate anyone employed by the trust which runs Southampton General Hospital, the Princess Anne Hospital and Countess Mountbatten House, as well as some services at the Royal South Hants Hospital.

Now in its fourth year, the winner will follow in the footsteps of last year’s hero nurse Zillah Leach, who works at Southampton General Hospital.

Nominations will be open until December 10 and will be featured in the Daily Echo during the coming weeks.

The winner of the Daily Echo Hospital Hero award will be presented with their award and Echo prize at a special ceremony on February 3. That is when hospital bosses will also give out their own hospital heroes awards including team awards for team of the year, employee of the year and infection prevention award.

The overall readers award winner will be decided by a panel of Daily Echo judges.

Mark Hackett, SUHT chief executive, said: “We are extremely proud to have some of the most dedicated and skilled staff in the NHS working tirelessly at our hospitals to ensure patients are given the best possible care.

“And there is no better way of recognising our unsung hospital heroes than giving Daily Echo readers the chance to nominate the individuals who have really had an effect on people's lives through their passion and commitment to helping others each and every day.”

To make a nomination call Melanie Adams on 023 8061 4271, email melanie.adams@dailyecho.co.uk or write to Melanie Adams, Southern Daily Echo, 17 High Street, Eastleigh, SO50 5LF.